User:Haoreima/Salailen

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Meetei Mayek
This page contains the Meitei alphabet. Without proper rendering support, you may see errors in display.
Salailen
Member of Sky gods[7]
Traditional Meitei relief arts depicting Lord Salailen, creating Lady Leimalen, the first female being in the universe, the divine name "Salāilen", written in archaic Meetei Mayek abugida
Other names
  • Shalailen
  • Shalailel
  • Salairen
  • Shalairen
  • Salairel
  • Shalairel
  • Soraren
  • Shoraren
  • Sorarel
  • Shorarel
AffiliationMeitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
AbodeHeaven[8]
Textsthe Leithak Leikhalon and the Wakoklon Puya
Gendermale
RegionAncient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur)
Ethnic groupMeitei ethnicity
FestivalsLai Haraoba
Consorts
Offspring
Equivalents
Greek equivalentZeus[9][10]
Roman equivalentJupiter[11]
Hinduism equivalentIndra[12][13][14]
Term
EnglishSalailen
Ancient Meiteiꯁꯂꯥꯏꯂꯦꯟ / ꯁꯂꯥꯏꯂꯦꯜ[a]
(sa-lāi-len / sa-lāi-lel)
Modern Meiteiꯁꯣꯔꯥꯔꯦꯟ / ꯁꯣꯔꯥꯔꯦꯜ
(so-rā-ren / so-rā-rel)
Sanamahism

Salailen or Salailel, also known as Soraren or Sorarel[15], is a Creator deity and King of the gods in Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism) of Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur).[16][2] He is the High God of the world of living beings. He rules, with his consort Leimalel Sidabi, over the world of his divine subjects.[17] Ancient Meiteis believed that to ascend to the abode of Salailen, the ascent of Mount Koubru is the first step.[2]

Creation myth[edit]

Further information: Sanamahi creation myth
Digit "one" (Meitei: ꯑꯃ, romanized: /ə.mə/, lit. 'one'[18]) in Meitei script
The letter "Ama" in the symbolic representation of Sanamahism (traditional Meitei religion)

The Sanamahi creation myth says that there exists a unit called "Ama" (Meitei: ꯑꯃ, romanized: /ə.mə/, lit. 'one'[19]), beyond life and death, as a formless light or heat. It is believed to be the reason why ancient Meiteis refer the "ama" as the number one, as it precedes all the existing numbers. According to the Ancient Meiteis, existence did not start with void. The "ama" took incarnation in the form of the Supreme God. His name is "Salailen Sitapa Mapu". Salailen, himself, is the space, the sky. And so, he is also known as Soraren (Sorarel).[b][20]

Relationship with Leimalel[edit]

According to the Wakoklon Hilel Thilel Salai Amailon Puya and the Sakok Puya, Tengbanba Mapu is the supreme being and he took two divine manifestations simultaneously. The right side of his body turned into the "Lainingthou" who is "Salailen". The left side of his body became Lairembi, who is "Leimalel Leishi Leipunbi". Salailen is the supreme "Pa" (Meitei: ꯄꯥ, romanized: /pā/, lit. 'masculine'[21]) and Leimalel is the supreme "Pi" (Meitei: ꯄꯤ, romanized: /pī/, lit. 'feminine'[22]) for the entire world. The divine couple live in the peak of the sacred Mount Koubru.[23]

Salailel (also identified by the name "Atiya Sidaba") is the Father Sky and goddess Leimalel is the "Malem Leima" (Meitei for 'Mother Earth'). Salailen (or Atiya) is "Nongthou" (Meitei for 'the heaven'). Salailen is the supreme father and Leimalel is the supreme mother. Between "Nongthou" and "Malem" (Meitei for 'the earth'), three mighty forces (Meitei: tarrung) of fire (Meitei: ꯃꯩ), air (Meitei: ꯅꯨꯡꯁꯤꯠ) and water (Meitei: ꯏꯁꯤꯡ) exist. According to the cosmic principle, the entire world is the product of the interactions between the three elements that again exist between the the sky and the earth.[24]

Children[edit]

Among his many offsprings, Salailen's two foremost sons are Lainingthou Sanamahi and Pakhangba.[3] Salailen decided to choose his successor among the two sons. He asked the two to compete for a race by going around (circulating) the world seven times and to come back to Him. Sanamahi, being strong and powerful, charged forward for the race. On the other hand, Pakhangba, being young, couldn't do anything. Goddess Leimarel Sidabi, being the consort of Salailen, knew the intimate knowledge of her husband. So, she advised Pakhangba to go around circulating his father's throne seven times. Salailen, being the Universal God, is equivalent to the entire world itself. So, it is equivalent to completing the task of circulating the world by Pakhangba first, before Sanamahi completes it. According to his words, Salailen enthroned Pakhangba to the universal throne.[25][26]

Legends[edit]

Turning the damsels into Pleiades' stars[edit]

Further information: Pleiades in folklore and literature

Salailen was once requested by the six damsels for refugee in his abode. The girls couldn't find their lovers. He felt pity for them. So, he turned them into the stars of the Pleiades (Meitei: ꯈꯣꯡꯖꯣꯝꯅꯨꯕꯤ, romanized: /kʰoŋ.jom.nu.bi/, lit. 'Pleiades'[27]) in the sky. He even allowed the damsels to descend down on earth to unite with their respective lovers for one day in a year. The offsprings born from the union of the damsels with their lovers are cicadas (Meitei: ꯍꯔꯤꯅꯣꯡꯅꯥꯡ, romanized: /hə.ri.noŋ.naŋ/, lit. 'cicada'[28]).[29][30]

Love with Tampha[edit]

Further information: Konthoujam Tampha Lairembi and Khoriphaba

In a legend, Salailen (or Soraren) has 1000 queens but none have any child. So, he thought to marry a lady who could bore him a child. In the meantime, Lady Huimu Leima, a mortal woman and wife of Lord Haorok Konthou Aremba, was pregnant. In a meeting, Salailen proposed to Haorok Konthou Aremba that the child (if born as a girl) be married to Him as his wife in the right time. Haorok Konthou Aremba agreed. Later, Huimu Leima gave birth to a daughter named "Tampha Wangamloi Leisang Shaphabi", who grew up into a young maiden.[31] When the right time arrived, Salailen married Tampha, afterwards she came to be known as Konthoujam Tampha Lairembi. During the marriage, Salailen was asked by Lady Tampha to grant immortality as well as immunity (to diseases) to the people of her Konthou community. He agreed. After the marriage, Salailen was requested by Tampha to grant her 1000 eyes and 1000 ears, with which she could become omniscient. But such power could be possessed only by deities and since Tampha was born to human parents, she was not eligible to access such a boon. With the union of Salailen and Tampha, heavenly prince Khoriphaba (also known as Khoiriphaba) was born.[32][33][34]

Once a pet dog, which costs dearly to the parents of Tampha, died in a hunting expedition. The death ceremony of the pet was held in a grand manner that it looks like if a son of the house was dead. Tampha's parents mourned over the death. The smokes of the funeral and the mourning sounds was sensed by Tampha from heaven. As she did not know the truth, she felt panicked thinking if her husband's promise of immortality and immunity to her community members weren't fulfilled. She approached to Salailen, explaining everything. Salailen assured her that it's just the death of a pet dog. But Tampha couldn't trust until and unless she witnessed the scene by herself. So, she requested him to allow her to visit her parental house on the earth. Being married to a God, Tampha, even though she is a human, isn't allowed to mingle with other mortal beings. Salailen was reluctant to agree to her request. However, at Tampha's continuous insistence, Salailen agreed but at certain conditions. Salailen instructed her not to consume any foods and drinks from the human world. Tampha agreed. He arranged a golden ladder, connecting heaven and earth, as a passageway for Tampha to go. Using the ladder, she reached her destination. After many years, Tampha finally united with her parents and the rest of people of her community.[35][36][34]

Tampha was offered the foods and drinks by her parents. She refused the offerings, telling them about her terms and conditions she agreed to her husband. Her parents tried to outsmart the omniscient Salailen by arranging a seven layered canopy over the dining place, to block the vision of Salailen from heaven. Tampha consumed the earthly foods and drinks. No barrier could block Salailen's vision. He witnessed the acts. Getting furious, he immediately withdraw his golden ladder and the promises of immortality and immunity to the Haorok Konthou community. Tampha felt sorry for her misconducts and remained on earth forever, thus unable to meet neither her husband not her son. Salailen took care of his son Khoriphaba, with the help of other gods and goddesses, including goddess Leimarel Sidabi, god Thangching (Thangjing), among others.[37][38][34]

Worship[edit]

In ancient times, the cult dedicated to God Salailen (Shorarel) was venerated by the people of Sorelsangbam clan.[39]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ ꯁꯂꯥꯏꯂꯦꯟ (/sa-lāi-len/) can also be written/pronounced as ꯁꯥꯂꯥꯏꯂꯦꯟ (/sā-lāi-len/) and ꯁꯂꯥꯏꯂꯦꯜ (/sa-lāi-lel/) can also be written/pronounced as ꯁꯥꯂꯥꯏꯂꯦꯜ (/sā-lāi-lel/).
  2. ^ "Sorarel" is one of the terms for sky in Meitei language (officially called Manipuri).

References[edit]

  1. ^ Noni, Arambam; Sanatomba, Kangujam (2015-10-16). Colonialism and Resistance: Society and State in Manipur. Routledge. p. 252. ISBN 978-1-317-27066-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  2. ^ a b c Prakash, Col Ved (2007). Encyclopaedia of North-East India. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 1543. ISBN 978-81-269-0706-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  3. ^ a b Singh, L. Bhagyachandra; et al. (Internet Archive) (1991). A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. Manipur University Library, Imphal. India: L. Jayantakumar Singh, Imphal; Digital Library of India. pp. 45-46 (in the e-book format), 23 (in the physical book format).{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. ^ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Definition of "ꯁꯣꯔꯥꯔꯦꯟ")". dsal.uchicago.edu. University of Chicago. Digital Dictionaries of South Asia. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  5. ^ Paniker, K. Ayyappa (1997). Medieval Indian Literature: Surveys and selections (Assamese-Dogri). India: Sahitya Akademi. p. 331. ISBN 978-81-260-0365-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  6. ^ Mehrotra, Deepti Priya (2009-07-08). Burning Bright Irom Sharmila. Penguin UK. p. 577. ISBN 978-81-8475-153-6. Mythological and divine beings tend to inhabit the imagination of children and adults alike—Soraren the god of rain, Thongaren the god of death, Meitrang the god of fire, ...{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  7. ^ Birajit, Soibam (2014-12-01). Meeyamgi Kholao: Sprout of Consciousness. India: ARECOM ( Advanced Research Consortium, Manipur). p. 83. Soraren (the sky god) lifting up the hardship of the Haorok Konthou clan when he took Konthousu in marriage in the myth of Haorok Konthoujam Lairenbi.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  8. ^ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Definition of "ꯁꯣꯔꯥꯔꯦꯟ")". dsal.uchicago.edu. University of Chicago. Digital Dictionaries of South Asia. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  9. ^ Devi, Nunglekpam Premi (2018-04-14). A Glimpse of Manipuri Literary Works. India. p. 46.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. ^ Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi. Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. India. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
  11. ^ Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi. Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. India. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
  12. ^ Noni, Arambam; Sanatomba, Kangujam (2015-10-16). Colonialism and Resistance: Society and State in Manipur. Routledge. p. 234. ISBN 978-1-317-27066-9. Traditional deities were identified as Hindu deities, such as Pakhangba as 'Anant' of Hinduism, Soraren as Indra, Marjing as Kuber,...{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  13. ^ Raatan, T. (2004). Encyclopaedia of North-east India. India. p. 183. ISBN 978-81-7835-274-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  14. ^ Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi. Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. India. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
  15. ^ Datta, Bīrendranātha (2002). Affinities Between Folkloristics and Historiography: Some Theoretical Implications in the Context of Medieval and Modern History of North-East India. India: National Folklore Support Centre (NFSC) www.indianfolklore.org. p. 114. ISBN 978-81-901481-1-5. Lord Selailel (now known as Sorarel or Soraren){{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  16. ^ Noni, Arambam; Sanatomba, Kangujam (2015-10-16). Colonialism and Resistance: Society and State in Manipur. Routledge. p. 252. ISBN 978-1-317-27066-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  17. ^ Singh, L. Bhagyachandra; et al. (Internet Archive) (1991). A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. Manipur University Library, Imphal. India: L. Jayantakumar Singh, Imphal; Digital Library of India. pp. 51-52 (in the e-book format), 29 (in the physical book format).{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  18. ^ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Definition of "Ama")". dsal.uchicago.edu. University of Chicago. Digital Dictionaries of South Asia. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  19. ^ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Definition of "Ama")". dsal.uchicago.edu. University of Chicago. Digital Dictionaries of South Asia. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  20. ^ Oinam, James (2016-05-26). New Folktales of Manipur. India: Notion Press. p. 13. ISBN 978-1-945400-70-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  21. ^ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Definition of "Pā")". dsal.uchicago.edu. University of Chicago. Digital Dictionaries of South Asia. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  22. ^ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Definition of "Pī")". dsal.uchicago.edu. University of Chicago. Digital Dictionaries of South Asia. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  23. ^ Singh, L. Bhagyachandra; et al. (Internet Archive) (1991). A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. Manipur University Library, Imphal. India: L. Jayantakumar Singh, Imphal; Digital Library of India. pp. 51-52 (in the e-book format), 28 (in the physical book format).{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  24. ^ Singh, L. Bhagyachandra; et al. (Internet Archive) (1991). A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. Manipur University Library, Imphal. India: L. Jayantakumar Singh, Imphal; Digital Library of India. pp. 53-54 (in the e-book format), 30 (in the physical book format).{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  25. ^ "Nangkhang Koiba Tradition of Meetei Race of Kangleipak Part 2". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  26. ^ "Paklei Namsa in Indigenous Sanamahi Religion". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  27. ^ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Term for "Pleiades")". dsal.uchicago.edu. University of Chicago. Digital Dictionaries of South Asia. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  28. ^ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Term for "Cicada")". dsal.uchicago.edu. University of Chicago. Digital Dictionaries of South Asia. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  29. ^ Paniker, K. Ayyappa (1997). Medieval Indian Literature: Surveys and selections (Assamese-Dogri). India: Sahitya Akademi. p. 331. ISBN 978-81-260-0365-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  30. ^ Paniker, K. Ayyappa (1997). Medieval Indian Literature: Surveys and selections (Assamese-Dogri). India: Sahitya Akademi. p. 332. ISBN 978-81-260-0365-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  31. ^ Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). India. p. 679. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  32. ^ Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). India. p. 680. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  33. ^ Raatan, T. (2004). Encyclopaedia of North-east India. India. p. 183. ISBN 978-81-7835-274-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  34. ^ a b c Bhattacharyya, Rituparna (2022-07-29). Northeast India Through the Ages: A Transdisciplinary Perspective on Prehistory, History, and Oral History. Taylor & Francis. p. 188. ISBN 978-1-000-62390-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  35. ^ Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). India. p. 680. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  36. ^ Raatan, T. (2004). Encyclopaedia of North-east India. India. p. 183. ISBN 978-81-7835-274-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  37. ^ Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). India. p. 681. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  38. ^ Raatan, T. (2004). Encyclopaedia of North-east India. India. p. 183. ISBN 978-81-7835-274-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  39. ^ Sanajaoba, Naorem (1993). Manipur: Treatise & Documents. India: Mittal Publications. p. 4. ISBN 978-81-7099-399-5. You the Sorelsangbam , attend to the Shorarel ( heaven ) .{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)

Bibliography[edit]

External links[edit]

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